Australian sport was reeling in shock after Phillip Hughes suffered a serious head injury while batting in a domestic cricket match on Tuesday.
The 25-year-old remained in a critical condition in a Sydney hospital after undergoing emergency surgery as the sports world rallied around him.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with phil and his family! He is a great fighter and a great young man!” tweeted Australia’s national cricket coach Darren Lehmann.
Cricket Australia chief executive James Sutherland released a statement, saying all the players in the match had been shocked by the incident.
“His welfare is our highest priority,” Sutherland said.
“We’re also naturally concerned about all of those involved in today’s game and will be giving them our utmost support.”
That support was welcomed by the Australian Cricketers’ Association, which represents the interests of players with the national body.
“We were obviously shocked to learn of the seriousness of the incident involving Phil,” ACA chief executive Alastair Nicholson said.
"While we have faith that he’s receiving the best available treatment, the situation will impact his family, friends, and those directly involved on the field.
Phillip Hughes of South Australia lays on a stretcher after being struck in the head by a delivery as teammates and support staff check on him on Tuesday. Photograph: cricket.com.au/Twitter
“The ACA is therefore working closely with CA to arrange the appropriate counselling for those affected.”
Social media was flooded with well-wishers, with former Australia batsman Dean Jones expressing his best wishes for Hughes, but also Sean Abbott, the fast bowler who struck the batsman.
“Stay strong @seanabbott77 .. Not your fault young man,” Jones added.
Hughes also drew support from the Australian rugby team, who are preparing for their final test of the year against England in London, while New Zealand Cricket, Australia’s trans-Tasman rivals, also said they were thinking about him.
Hughes, who has played 26 Test matches and 25 One-Day Internationals for Australia, had been touted as a potential replacement for the injured Michael Clarke for the first test against India in Brisbane next week before he was injured.
Clarke’s hamstring injury that threatens his participation in the test has provoked a furore in Australia this week, though cricket journalist Dave Middleton felt it now paled into insignificance.
“Recent obsession for hamstrings put in sharp perspective by events at the SCG today,” Middleton tweeted.
Very sad incident, after Ahmed Shehzad got it and now this... will there be a ban on bouncers/short-balls completely?
Best wishes for Phil Hughes and Ahmed Shehzad, hope and pray they recover fast completely and join the game soon. I think the helmet designs need re-evaluation.
I read when he fell down, his face impacted the ground hard. Wish some fielders nearby were alert to prevent contact with ground. Since he fell down after a brief pause.
very promising young cricketer and it's so sad to see him in this precarious battle with life. i wish him well and pray for his speedy and full recovery...i also hope God will give his loved ones the strength to go through this unfortunate incident. amen.
Thoughts are with my little mate Hughsy and his family. He is a fighter and a champion and he will get through this. Praying for you buddy. 10:55 AM - 25 Nov 2014
Related Links
News : [Cricket world stunned by Hughes incident](http://www.espncricinfo.com/australia/content/story/803279.html)
Opinion : [We've all been hit](http://www.espncricinfo.com/australia/content/story/803309.html)
News : [Distraught players offered counselling for Hughes blow](http://www.espncricinfo.com/australia/content/story/803061.html)
News : [Hughes in critical condition after being hit by bouncer](http://www.espncricinfo.com/australia/content/story/802977.html)
Players/Officials: [Phillip Hughes](http://www.espncricinfo.com/australia/content/player/272364.html)
Series/Tournaments: [Sheffield Shield](http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/series/754825.html) | [Australian Domestic Season](http://www.espncricinfo.com/australia-domestic-2014-15/content/series/754833.html)
Teams: [Australia](http://www.espncricinfo.com/australia/content/team/2.html) | [New South Wales](http://www.espncricinfo.com/newsouthwales/content/team/387.html) | [Queensland](http://www.espncricinfo.com/queensland/content/team/459.html) | [South Australia](http://www.espncricinfo.com/southaustralia/content/team/520.html) | [Tasmania](http://www.espncricinfo.com/tasmania/content/team/560.html) | [Victoria](http://www.espncricinfo.com/victoria/content/team/584.html) | [Western Australia](http://www.espncricinfo.com/westernaustralia/content/team/602.html)
Phillip Hughes remained in a critical condition in hospital on Wednesday afternoon, nearly 24 hours after being struck in the head by a bouncer during a Sheffield Shield match at the SCG.
At 2.05pm, Australia’s team doctor Peter Brukner spoke to the media outside St Vincent’s Hospital in Sydney, where Hughes had undergone surgery on Tuesday to relieve pressure on his brain.
“Phillip’s condition is unchanged and he remains critical,” Brukner said. “If there are any further developments we will let you know immediately.”
Earlier on Wednesday, Cricket Australia had elected to abandon the full round of Sheffield Shield matches following the injury suffered by Hughes on day one of the match between New South Wales and South Australia.
That game was abandoned as soon as Hughes was taken to St Vincent’s Hospital, and after deliberations between CA and the Australian Cricketers Association, it was decided that it would not be fair or appropriate to continue the matches between Victoria and Western Australia in Melbourne or Tasmania and Queensland in Hobart.
“We’ve spoken to players and the ACA, and given how players across the country are feeling right now, it’s just not the day to be playing cricket and we understand that,” CA’s team performance manager Pat Howard said. "We are continuing to offer all players and match officials counselling and support at this difficult time.
“Phillip Hughes continues to receive the best possible medical care. The thoughts of his teammates and the wider cricket community are with Phillip and his family and friends.”
One point will be given to each team for the abandoned matches, under the terms of CA’s revised playing conditions for the Shield this summer. ACA chief executive Alistair Nicholson supported the decision.
“The ACA supports Cricket Australia’s decision to abandon the remaining matches in this round of the Sheffield Shield,” he said. "We note that the advice of experts and the thoughts of the players were given strong consideration in this decision.
"We agree that given the unique and very serious nature of this situation, players and officials are best placed surrounded by family and friends, supporting one another and sending their best wishes Phillip’s way.
“The ACA is continuing to provide counselling support for players and their families, and extends this support to any former players who may be affected by the events in Sydney.”
The NSW Ambulance service released a statement on Wednesday describing the timeline of events according to their records. Hughes was struck about 2.23pm and was taken to hospital just under an hour later.
“The initial triple zero call was received by NSW Ambulance at 2.37pm, arriving at the patient at 2.44pm where two paramedics provided support to the doctor on site treating the patient’” a NSW ambulance spokesperson said. "Another four paramedics in two other ambulance vehicles arrived at 3.02pm.
"The NSW Ambulance helicopter, with a specialist doctor and paramedic medical crew on board, was tasked to respond at 2.50pm, landing on the SCG at 3.05pm. The patient was assessed and stabilised by the medical team before it was decided that road transfer to St Vincent’s hospital was the most appropriate course of action given the patient’s injuries.
“The thoughts of staff and paramedics from NSW Ambulance are with the patient and their family at this time.”
i feel so much pain to hear about his sad demise. i never felt this bad in my life about the news of any celeb's death. i saw on TV how he got hurt.
May his soul rest in peace and may Allah give strength to tjis family and loved ones to bear this unbearable pain.
such a young man lost life at the beginning of his career. :(
i also feel sad for the bowler whose bouncer killed Philip Hughes and i very much doubt that he'll play cricket ever again. he must be loaded with guilt. i think the authorities/family should keep him on 'suicide watch'
**
i'm sure the cricket helmet manufacturers will have a neck-guard separately or the back of the helmet extended to cover the neck area.
